Tanzania
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu has pardoned 5,001 prisoners from different correctional facilities across the East African country.
Of these prisoners, 1,516 have been released after a quarter of their sentences were reduced in lieu of a standard one-third reduction under the provisions of the Prisons Act chapter 58, according to The EastAfrican paper
Other inmates numbering 3,485 have had their sentences reduced by a quarter under section 49 (1) of the Prisons Act chapter 58.
The released prisoners were urged to use the training they received in prison in nation-building and also respect the national laws.
"I would also like to ask Tanzanians to use the 57th anniversary of the Union to reflect on the various efforts made in nation-building and the role of each in continuing to build a strong nation," said the Head of State.
A statement issued by the Director of Presidential Communications, Gerson Msigwa, the 3,485 prisoners whose sentences have been reduced will continue to serve the remaining part of their sentences in prison.
The pardoning of prisoners has been observed on yearly basis especially during Union Day, when both Tanganyika and Zanzibar came together to form the Republic of Tanzania on 26th April 1964.
About 35,00 prisoners are reported to be in prison in the country.
01:11
World Bank suspends funding for Tanzania tourism project
11:10
Coltan: at the heart of DRC-Rwanda tensions [Business Africa]
00:44
Three Tanzanian soldiers killed in Democratic Republic of Congo
01:06
Somalia gains full membership of East African Community
01:49
Tanzania: Opposition resumes street protests calling for constitutional reforms
01:10
Tanzania prepares for opposition protests advocating electoral reforms